Markets

New attractions make a bigger equine experience at Ag Progress Days

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Equine Experience at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days has a history of delivering a mix of attractions and activities that educate and entertain horse lovers of all ages.
As Penn State’s equine science program has expanded, so has the Equine Experience, notes Ann Swinker, associate professor of equine science, offering […]

USDA extends deadline for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program

Monday, August 11, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

HARRISBURG, Pa. — USDA has extended the application deadline to apply for coverage under Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

U.S. DDGS exports to Korea jump

Monday, August 11, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

WASHINGTON — Korea’s imports of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) have more than tripled during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

Survey says consumers back farmers and biodiesel production

Saturday, August 9, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

ST. LOUIS — A recent nationwide survey conducted by the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff revealed that U.S. consumers strongly back U.S. soybean farmers and biodiesel.
The National Agriculture Image Survey indicated 82 percent of consumers agree foreign oil-producing countries and the high cost of fuel impacting farming and processing, packaging, storing and shipping food […]

U.S. farm expenses reached record $260 billion in 2007

Friday, August 8, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

WASHINGTON — It’s not the record most farmers want to set. The rising cost of fuel and other products drove U.S. farm production expenditures to a record $260 billion in 2007.
That’s according to the Farm Production Expenditures 2007 summary released Aug. 7 by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Total U.S. farm production expenditures rose 9.3 […]

Good news for the cattle industry

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

URBANA, Ill. — Better days are likely ahead for the cattle industry, according to a Purdue University Extension marketing specialist.

“As numbers keep dropping, producers adjust inventories downward in the face of high feed and forage prices,” said Chris Hurt. “At mid-year, the number of all cattle and calves was modestly lower than the two […]

USDA increases limits for direct loans

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has put into place a new farm bill provision, increasing the limits on loans to $300,000 — up from $200,000 — for direct farm ownership and operating loans.

Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan limits remained unchanged since 1984.

“Our Farm Service Agency has already started making loans with today’s costs […]

Acreage report: Some Ohioans switched to soybeans

Monday, July 21, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

Ohio’s farmland planted to corn is down 13 percent from 2007; soybeans up 11 percent.

Grain and oilseed prices continue to rise in June

Monday, July 21, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

Ohio’s June corn price of $6.67 per bushel is up $1.13 from May, and the state’s June soybean price of $13.90 per bushel is up $1.80 from May, and $6.18 above what was received at the same time last year.

Forecast favorable for Midwest corn pollination

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 by Farm and Dairy Staff

Weather during the end of July can make or break the Midwest corn crop.